Flower Gardens, community giving Valentine cheer to seniors

BARNESVILLE -- Older residents will be getting a happy Valentine's Day gift this week, thanks to the efforts and big hearts of community members during the Adopt a Senior initiative.

Shelley Rockwell, owner of the Flower Gardens in Barnesville, is spearheading Adopt a Senior.

"We started this about five years ago at Valentine's, realizing we have a lot of senior citizens at care facilities as well as senior housing who, during the month of February, might need a little pick-up, so we have created bud vases for all of these folks, and these vases are filled with some flowers and a little card that says 'Happy Valentine's Day,'" Rockwell said, noting the vases are then packed up and distributed.

"This year, we are doing 239 bud vases. Last year we did 262," she said.

She said the gifts will be delivered today and Monday to sites including Astoria Place of Barnesville, the Walton Home, Emerald Pointe and the Barnesville Manor Apartments.

"We make bows for them and we hand write the cards, and then will fill the vases with some greenery and some accent flowers and usually one or two carnations, because they last a good long time," Rockwell said. "They're simple, but they sure do brighten people's days.

"We put the word out and ask people to adopt a senior for $10, and if we don't get enough people to adopt, I make up the difference from my pocket. But we've been blessed with very generous sponsors and so all of our seniors are covered and we actually met our goal a week ago."

She said volunteers from WVU Medicine Barnesville Hospital will join in preparing the vases.

"It's awesome that they're willing to come down and help us out," she said.

Rockwell said the deliveries are always a source of joy to the receiving seniors.

"They're surprised. They're very happy. We've had people in tears. We've had people say they've never received flowers before, and the smiles and the heartfelt sentiments are just overwhelming. It's really a beautiful thing," she said.

Anyone interested in volunteering or nominating a senior for next year can call the Flower Gardens at 740-425-1939 or stop in at 242 S. Gardner St.

"We're full now so I don't need any more sponsors, but we can always take people's names and information for next year," Rockwell noted.